Ten years had passed.
The fragile little princess of Solmire had disappeared.
In her place stood something extraordinary.
Scarlate.
At only ten years old, she had reached the 7th Circle of Magic — a realm most royal mages could not touch even after decades of devotion.
Her training was complete.
And with its end… came a new beginning.
The throne room doors opened softly as Scarlate stepped inside. Golden sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, wrapping her in a quiet radiance.
"Father," she said calmly, bowing her head slightly.
"I have completed my training. I have reached the 7th Circle."
The King of Solmire watched her carefully. Pride flickered in his eyes — but so did something else.
Expectation.
"It is time," he said firmly. "You will enroll in the Royal Magic Academy."
The words lingered in the air.
"Magic Academy…" she repeated softly.
Her heart stirred.
A place filled with prodigies.
Rivals.
Unknown challenges.
"I will go," she said without hesitation.
"But I will not go as a princess."
Silence fell.
The King's gaze sharpened. "Explain."
"I wish to attend as a commoner. I want people to approach me for who I am… not for the crown I carry."
For a long moment, the throne room remained quiet.
Then slowly, the King smiled.
"You truly are my daughter."
But his tone shifted.
"Before you leave, you will learn swordsmanship."
Scarlate blinked slightly. "Now?"
The grand doors opened again.
The Queen entered, her expression soft yet disapproving.
"She has just completed years of magical training, and you wish to burden her again immediately?" she said, gently scolding the King.
Then she turned to Scarlate.
"If you do not wish to learn, you may refuse."
Scarlate looked between them.
Her father — firm, preparing her for the world.
Her mother — warm, protecting her heart.
"I will learn," she said quietly. "If I am to walk the world alone, I must not be incomplete."
The King's pride deepened.
The Queen sighed softly, brushing a strand of golden hair away from Scarlate's face.
"Very well. But tonight, you will rest."
"Yes, Mother."
But Scarlate did not rest.
That night, while the palace slept beneath silver moonlight, she stood alone on her balcony.
The wind played with her golden hair.
"One last test…" she whispered.
Moments later, she vanished.
Deep beneath the kingdom lay the forbidden dungeon — a place meant for elite knights.
Darkness swallowed the stone corridors.
Monsters emerged from shadows.
One after another, they fell.
Her mana illuminated the dungeon like a burning star.
Until—
The air changed.
Cold.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Even the remaining monsters retreated.
From the deepest shadows… something stepped forward.
Not a monster.
A Demon.
Its presence alone crushed the air.
Scarlate raised her hand and cast a high-level spell.
It shattered instantly.
The demon laughed — low and ancient.
"So much mana… inside such a fragile vessel."
For the first time that night, Scarlate's expression hardened.
She attacked again.
The demon did not dodge.
Instead—
The air changed.
Cold.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Even the remaining monsters retreated.
From the deepest shadows… something stepped forward.
Not a monster.
A Demon.
Its presence alone crushed the air.
Scarlate raised her hand and cast a high-level spell.
It shattered instantly.
The demon laughed — low and ancient.
"So much mana… inside such a fragile vessel."
For the first time that night, Scarlate's expression hardened.
She attacked again.
The demon did not dodge.
Instead—
It dissolved into black smoke and rushed toward her.
Before she could react, the darkness forced its way into her body.
It tried to claim her.
To possess her.
"To make this body mine—"
And then—
The demon screamed.
Inside her was not a vessel.
It was an ocean.
Endless.
Blinding.
Overwhelming.
Her mana swallo
wed the invading darkness.
The demon could not dominate her.
It could not escape.
It was trapped.
Sealed within the very power it tried to conquer.
The violent clash sent a shockwave through her body.
Pain exploded in her chest.
Her vision blurred.
And Scarlate collapsed onto the cold stone floor.
When she opened her eyes again…
The dungeon was silent.
No monsters.
No demon.
Only her heartbeat echoing in her ears.
She tried to move—
And then she heard it.
A voice.
Not outside.
Not in the dungeon.
But inside her.
Low.
Ancient.
Amused.
"…Interesting."
Her breath froze.
She was no longer alone.